Is Kelly Armstrong Getting Away With Murder in Grimes County?

Navasota, Texas

Some folks are crying foul down in Grimes County, following the death of a woman early Monday morning in Navasota.

Autumn Armstrong

Navasota police discovered 40-year-old Autumn Armstrong dead in her home following a 9-1-1 call from the woman’s husband. Investigators say that Kelly Armstrong, 43, told dispatchers that he had shot his wife while he was asleep. While neighbors have reported hearing possible gunfire as early as 10:30 p.m., police believe the shooting occurred around 3:15 a.m. The dead woman was discovered by police before 5:00 a.m.

Later in the day, as details began to emerge, Grimes County District Attorney Tuck McLain announced that there were no suspects and no warrants had been issued, but that Armstrong’s body was sent for an autopsy in Dallas. Investigators also confirmed that Armstrong’s husband, Kelly, and the couple’s young son were in the house at the time of the shooting. The couple was planning to finalize divorce proceedings on the day the murder occurred.

On Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued for Kelly Armstrong, along with a charge of first-degree murder. Justice of the Peace John LeFlore set his bond at $150,000. The man’s attorney, Billy Carter of Bryan announced that an arrangement had been made with the District Attorney and Mr. Armstrong would turn himself in around noon on Wednesday. Armstrong and his attorney did arrive at the Grimes County Jail on Wednesday as scheduled. Two hours later, after posting bond, Armstrong walked out of the jail.

Kelly Armstrong

Following Autumn Armstrong’s death, social media was filled with Grimes County residents outraged by the events following the woman’s death, the scheduled appointment for Mr. Armstrong to turn himself in, the low bond amount and the freedom Armstrong has after posting bond. Mr. Armstrong comes from a well-known, prominent family in Grimes County, a family which includes business owners and attorneys.

Following the social media community outcry on Facebook, Grimes County District Attorney Tuck McLain responded to concerns over the bond amount set for Mr. Armstrong with the following:

"The bond amount recommended by the bond schedule adopted by the district Judges for a 1st degree felony is $20,000.00. Murder is a 1st degree felony. Judge Leflore set the bond at over SEVEN TIMES the recommended amount. The CCP sets five considerations for a Judge to use in setting bonds. 1. Bail must be sufficiently high to assure appearance; 2. It may not be "an instrument of oppression"; 3. Consider the nature of the crime; 4. The ability of the defendant to make bail & 5. The future safety of the victim and the community. As AB noted above, this case doe4s not qualify for a no bond under the Texas Constitution. My suggestion to many of you criticizing Judge LaFlore is 1. Learn something about what you’re talking about and 2) Figure out how to change the law if you don't like the way it is."

Many residents, however, continue to express their concerns that Armstrong’s family influence is resulting in preferential treatment. The case is set to be presented to a Grand Jury soon.

Houston Police Homicide Detective Ryan Chandler is Being Called 'One Bad Apple'

HPD Detective Ryan Chandler Under Investigation for Mishandling Cases

Houston, Texas

You know, judging from all of his cut-and-paste, duplicate employee evaluations, many containing the same misspelled words, Ryan Chandler looks like a competent homicide investigator.

The Houston Police Department is conducting an internal probe into their homicide division, including taking a closer look at a number of investigators, supervisors and other employees. So far, Sgt. Ryan Chandler seems like the king turd of the group.

Oh and, about those employee evaluations, KHOU-TV did a probe of their own and found that every one of Chandler’s four reviews done in 2011 and 2012, were virtually identical, with the same exact wording used in the same order. In short, each semi-annual review seemed to have been copied and pasted from the previous review.

Chandler has been “Indefinitely suspended,” after Internal Affairs officers discovered he falsified HPD reports, even going so far as to claim he “referred” a homicide case to a grand jury, when in fact, he hadn’t and never did.

IAD also concluded that Chandler let cases languish by failing to enter new information in their files for 18 months in one case, two and a half years in another, and in yet another, waiting three years to update the offense report for the crime.

Worse, Internal Affairs also found that Chandler failed to even go to some of the scenes of homicides to which he’d been assigned. In at least one instance, Chandler defended himself, according to HPD, by saying that there was no crime scene to investigate.

The probe is also focusing on Senior Police Officer Kevin P. Carr and Senior Officer Richard Moreno and former Sgt. E. Gonzalez – the now Houston City Councilman Ed Gonzalez.

The probe continues, although the DA’s office admits that criminal prosecution is probably in the cards for Ryan Chandler.

Big Spring Police Officer Simon Elizondo Charged with Theft by a Public Servant

Simon Elizondo

Big Spring, Texas

A Big Spring Police officer has been arrested on a state jail felony of theft by a public servant.

According to a report from BSPD, department officials were told about allegations involving misconduct by an officer identified as Simon Elizondo.

Once the allegations surfaced, BSPD began an internal investigation and the preliminary findings led officers to believe criminal activity had taken place and the investigation was turned over to the Texas Rangers. The report also states that BSPD assisted with both investigations and Elizondo was placed on administrative leave.

On Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for Elizondo on a charge of theft by a public servant, the report stated.

According to the report, Elizondo was arrested and charged with theft by a public servant and placed in the Howard County Law Enforcement Center. What Elizondo had taken was not specified.

San Antonio Police Officer James Ferguson Arrested for Drunk Driving in San Marcos

James Ferguson

San Marcos, Texas

A San Antonio police officer was arrested for driving while intoxicated early Thursday morning.

San Marcos Police Department Chief Howard Williams said James Henry Ferguson, 37, was arrested around 2:30 a.m. He was held in the Hays County Jail overnight and released in lieu of $3,000 bail at 12:45 Thursday afternoon.

Ferguson has been with the San Antonio Police Department since 2007, according to state records.

Former Harris County Deputy Jimmy Drummond Indicted Over Beating Caught on Videotape

Jimmy Drummond

Houston, Texas

Back in September of 2011, a dash cam video captured what Precinct 4 Harris County Deputy Constable Jimmy Drummond would have never wanted the public to see. During a traffic stop, Drummond can be seen beating a man, as well as the man’s family who attempted to intervene. Following the scuffle, the man’s ribs were broken, his father's face was bruised and his mother was dragged.

The family's attorney said this was not the first time that Drummond, then a Harris County deputy, had been accused of this sort of thing.

“There have been no less than 6 individual people who have come forward to me since this incident and said they also had problems with Jimmy Drummond."

This week, a grand jury has indicted Jimmy Drummond on one count of official oppression, which could result in one year in jail and a $4,000 fine if convicted.

Drummond, now a deputy in Montgomery County, Texas is on paid administrative leave.

Jimmy Drummond Indicted for Videotaped Beating

Six Law Enforcement Officers Charged in Illegal Horse Track Scheme

Crosby, Texas

When investigators raided the Rancho El Herradero Training Center, after learning it was a front for illegal horse racing and gambling, they turned-up more than they bargained for.

The investigation and raid led to the arrest of nine people, including six law enforcement officers. The officers have been charged with racing without a license.

Authorities said they spent 11 months investigating the property and say the track hired off duty cops to provide security; those officers are accused of looking the other way when illegal gambling was going on.

The Harris County District Attorney's office said the officers arrested include Harris County Pct. 1 deputy constables Secar Guadelupe Rangel and Joel Garcia, DPS State Trooper Richard Rene Rivera, reserve Fort Bend County Pct. 2 deputy constables David Green and Edward Scott and reserve Maverick County Sheriff's Office deputy Carlos Garza.

They also arrested three civilians -- Reginaldo Mandujano, Diana Marie Salinas and Consuelo Rivera.

Harris County Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen said he fired the two deputies from his agency the minute they were arrested.

"I don't tolerate crime on the street and I don't tolerate it in my office," said Rosen.

The nine suspects, including the six law enforcement officers, are expected to appear in the 338th state District Court Monday morning.

San Marcos Cop James Palermo Has Anger Issues: Arrested After Abusing and Injuring Girl During Traffic Stop

San Marcos, Texas

There’s a story brewing about a bad cop in San Marcos. His name is James Palermo, a police corporal, arrested for allegedly beating a Texas State University student from the Woodlands.

According to investigators and witnesses, Palermo pushed Alexis Alpha, 22, against a car and slammed her onto a concrete driveway.

"It's personally painful that any officer, much less officers that work under my command would engage in this kind of conduct,” said San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams.

The incident occurred when Alpha walked by a car the officer stopped near downtown San Marcos.

Alpha told KHOU-TV in Houston, “I wasn’t the only one who walked between the cars. Several people walked between them. I was just the one he called out.”

Once Alpha walked by the vehicle, the altercation took place. Witnesses watched as the officer grabbed Alpha by her shoulders, took her four or five steps backwards, and then slammed her on the car. Palermo then threw the girl face-down onto the concrete.

Palermo arrested her for obstruction of justice, resisting arrest and public intoxication, but all of those charges were later dismissed.

Alexis, who also suffered a concussion, has since had three root canals and nearly a dozen visits to the dentist. According to court documents, Alpha lost two teeth, had a concussion and will need several surgeries.

This isn’t the first case of excessive force against Palermo. The chief said two years ago, Palermo was involved in another incident. However, that case was dismissed.

This time though, a supervisor saw dash cam video and initiated an investigation.

Palermo was arrested this week and was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant.

The 40-year-old is now out on bail and is on restricted duty while the investigation is being conducted.

Alexis Alpha before and after meeting bully cop Palermo